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Cannabis vapes, explained
A cannabis vape heats an oil until it gives off an aerosol that can be inhaled, without burning plant material. The two common forms are a cartridge, a small prefilled tank that screws onto a separate rechargeable 510 battery, and an all-in-one, where the oil and the battery are one sealed unit used until it is empty.
How vaping differs from smoking
A vape heats the oil rather than burning plant material, so what is inhaled is an aerosol from the heated oil rather than smoke. Inhaled cannabinoids pass into the bloodstream through the lungs and reach their peak within minutes, much sooner than an edible's, and their effects generally do not last as long.
Cartridges and the 510 battery
A cartridge, or cart, is a small tank of oil that screws onto a battery by the 510 thread, a connection standard most carts and batteries share, so a cart from one brand usually fits another's battery. When the cart is empty you replace it and keep the battery.
Batteries switch on in one of two ways: button-activated, where you press while you draw, or draw-activated, where drawing alone switches it on. Many have adjustable voltage; a lower setting heats the oil more gently, which tends to keep more of its flavor, so starting low is a good habit, and a thick oil that is not drawing well often does better at a different setting. Charge with the charger meant for the device, keep the thread clean, store carts upright, and keep both out of a hot car, since heat affects the battery and the oil.
All-in-ones
An all-in-one combines the oil and the battery in one sealed unit, with nothing to screw together. Some can be recharged to finish the oil, but none is refilled: when it is empty, the whole unit is done.
Some brands also make pods: small prefilled cartridges that click into that brand's own battery rather than a 510 thread.
What is inside
The oil decides most of a vape's character.
- Distillate: very high in potency and neutral in flavor until terpenes are added back (see distillate).
- Live resin: extracted with a solvent from fresh-frozen plants, keeping more of the plant's own terpenes.
- Live rosin: solventless, pressed with heat and pressure, keeping the plant's own character (see live rosin vs live resin).
Many carts also say whether their terpenes are cannabis-derived or botanical (see cannabis-derived vs botanical terpenes).
Starting low
Because inhaled cannabis takes effect within minutes, a vape is easy to take slowly: one small draw, a few minutes' wait, and only then a decision about more. Check the batch's potency on its certificate of analysis (see how to read a lab label).
Educational content, not medical advice. Effects vary by person, product, and dose. For use only by qualified patients. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery after use. Keep out of reach of children and pets.